Chamber welcomes energy inquiry

Derbyshire chamber of commerce’s information chief has welcomed the launch of an Ofgem inquiry into the activities of the Big Six energy companies.

Chris Hobson, Head of Information and Representation at the Chamber of Commerce for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, said: “This inquiry is welcome. Member businesses repeatedly tell us that their number one concern is energy cost and security.

“The East Midlands is the UK’s manufacturing heartland and is a significant driver in the rebalancing of the economy. As such, it’s vitally important that businesses have full confidence in the domestic energy market, which must deliver greater clarity and transparency on costs.”

The chamber has established a ‘High Energy User Group’ representing energy-intensive industrial sectors, which meets for the first time on April 1.

The Group’s main aim will be to ensure that energy does not contribute further to the rising cost of doing business in the UK.

It will also be working with members to help them take advantage of the £7bn package of measures to cut energy bills for British manufacturers, which Chancellor George Osborne unveiled in his Budget.